Day 4 – Salty Dick’s Road

We awake in New Orleans and decide that we just have to get a few more sites in of the area before heading out. We head out back into the French Quarter and have much better luck with breakfast at Clover Grill?. I had a great big waffle with an elephant imprinted on it (below) and James get a huge omelet with tater tots. Somehow we finish it all and head out to see some sights. We come across a beautiful church that made for a great photo (above).

My elephant waffle at the French Quarter

I have to say that I was surprised at how small Bourbon St. was. I guess it's easy to build up an image of something in your head, but the whole French Quarter was really different than I expected. Well, this is part of why we travel, to make the unknown known.

New Orleans Sketch

We pack up the bike and head out. Leaving the area we see more devastation from hurricane Katrina, which was nearly 2 years ago. I am surprised by the aftermath; one dilapidated house right next to a new one. We push on through Louisiana, and decide to get on to some smaller roads. The day is slipping by and we are definitely in the back woods of Louisiana. This is one of the places I had feared the most. Looking back, it's funny how travel can really create a sense of trust in humanity.

Anyhow, the day is losing sunlight, and we have hit a closed road. This means we must turn around, backtrack and do some trespassing. I don't like it either, but we have to find somewhere to stay. We haven't even seen any hotels or camp grounds the entire day.

Back Roads of Northern Louisiana

Somehow we made it, and didn't get shot doing it, and reach Toledo Town Inn via a dirt road I remember as Salty Dick's Road. A little motel with a gas station across the street and a market to the other side awaits us. Not much else around. We're definitely in the country. After getting into our room I cry, just happy to be safe and sound.